Year in Review – 2024’s Best Musicals and Dance

January 5, 2025December 30, 2025 theaterinchicagoreviews1776 musical, Adrian Aguilar, Andrew MacNaughton, Aurora Penepacker, Beth Stafford Laird, books, Chicago College of Performing Arts Pippin, Chicago Shakespeare, Emily Kristen Morris, Emma Samuelson, Erik Hellman, Evan Tyrone Martin, Goodman Theater, Heidi Kettenring, J Harrison Ghee, Jason Michael Evans, Jason Robert Brown, Jersey Boys, Kate Prince choreographer, Katie Spelman, Liz Bollar, Lucy Godinez, Marriott Lincolnshire Theater, Melody Murray, Mercury Theater, Message in a Bottle show, Michael Metcalf, music, Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Never Better musical, Paramount Theater, Richard R. Henry, Ryan Stajmiger, Shawn Smith, Spencer Davis Milford, Tanya Birl-Torres, Taylor Mac, The Lord of the Rings A Musical Tale, Theo Ubique, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Writers TheaterLeave a comment

#1 Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Writers Theater)

Evan Tyrone Martin (Pierre, standing on the table) and the cast

I enjoyed this musical when I saw it on Broadway in 2017, but this production from Writers Theater launched Natasha, Pierre… into my list of all-time favorite musicals. Set within the world of aristocratic Russian society in 1812, every song overflows with the passions of characters who are fully committed to their causes, whether they strive to marry well, fabricate a scandal, seduce a young woman, or find meaning in the universe. Director and choreographer Katie Spelman led a cast with too many stars to name here – I’ll limit myself to praising Evan Tyrone Martin, who, as Pierre, accentuated the nuances of a character who shifted from hopelessness to action in Natasha’s (Aurora Penepacker) time of need. Year after year, Writers Theater rises to the top with their intimate stagings of large-scale musicals. Video montage

#2 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Goodman)

J. Harrison Ghee (Lady Chablis, standing tallest in the middle) and the cast

When the Goodman announced that J. Harrison Ghee (Tony winner from Some Like it Hot) would play Lady Chablis, I knew they were on the right track. Ghee’s entrance did not disappoint as she waved away the applause and insisted to the audience, “Make me earn it.” Adapting this 1994 bestseller into a musical is no easy task, but the script by Taylor Mac and the music by Jason Robert Brown embodied the mysteries, contradictions, and joys of Savannah. Brown’s use of different musical styles for each main characters’ songs added depth to their characterizations, and the choreography by Tanya Birl-Torres was another bonus. Producers have announced that Midnight… will open on Broadway in 2025, but as of yet no theater or opening date is set. Video scene

Continue reading →

Year in Review–2023’s Best Musicals

December 29, 2023January 3, 2024 theaterinchicagoreviews1776 Roundabout Tour, Adam Jacobs actor, Ainsley Anthony Melham, Alexander Gemignani, Alexis J. Roston, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Alison Luff, Angelica Hale, Bethany Thomas, Blank Theater Company, Boop the Musical, Brittney Brown, Caleigh Pan-Kita, Connor Ripperger, Dana Saleh Omar, Dustin Rothbart, Gisela Adisa, Goodman Theater, Heidi Kettenring, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jonah D. Winston, Kokandy American Psycho, Kyle Patrick actor, Laura Sportiello, Liz Mikel 1776, Lucy Godinez, Mack Spotts, MarieandRosetta, MarriottLincolnshire, Matt Mueller actor, Michael Kurowski, MusicTheaterWorks, Neala Barron, Nick Arceo, NorthlightTheater, OnceWritersTheater, Patrick O’Keefe actor, PippinMusicTheaterWorks, Sonia Goldberg, The Who's Tommy, Theo Ubique, TommyGoodmanTheater, WritersTheater1 Comment

#1 The Who’s Tommy – Goodman Theater

The cast was led by Ali Louis Bourzgui (Tommy), Alison Luff (Mrs. Walker) & Adam Jacobs (Captain Walker)

There are so many incredible aspects of The Who’s Tommy to discuss (the lead actors, the ensemble, the choreography, the lighting effects – to name a few) that one forgets what a high-stakes gamble this must have been for the Goodman Theater’s new Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. Original Broadway director Des McAnuff’s reimagining of this rarely-performed rock opera earned nine Jeff awards, set new box-office records for the Goodman, and secured a Broadway production beginning March 8. It was truly a sensation from start to finish.

Continue reading →

Year in Review–2022’s Best Musicals

January 16, 2023July 20, 2023 theaterinchicagoreviewsAddie Morales, Alex Goodrich, Anna Marie Abbate, Ashton Norris, Austin Nelson, Caleigh Pan-Kita, Chicago Lyric Opera, Chicago Shakespeare, Copley Theater, Drake Wunderlich, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Elizabeth Stenholt, Emilie Modaff, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, Fun Home, Godspell, Goodman Theater, Heidi Kettenring, Hello Dolly, Honey West, Jeffrey Kringer, John Cordoza, Jordan Tyson, Josh Houghton, Life After, Marriott Lincolnshire, Mercury Theater, Milla Liss, Milwaukee Rep, Paul Alexander Nolan, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rebecca Hurd, Richard Bermudez, Roosevelt University, Samantha Williams, Shaun White, Steve Pacek, Steven Skybell, The Notebook Musical, The Pajama Game, Theo Ubique, Titanic the MusicalLeave a comment

My list of the top 10 musicals of 2022 is a little belated. Note that I focused on Chicago-based productions, but this was also an outstanding year from Broadway-in-Chicago with traveling companies of Hadestown and Come From Away visiting early in the year, and Six holding a residency for several months at the CIBC.

#1 Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera)

In the opening scene of director Barrie Kosky’s production (which he originated in Berlin), a modern American boy opens his bedroom closet to find not just Tevye but the entire tremendous cast stream through a set of double doors onto the crowded stage. The impact is a masterful articulation of the way that Fiddler connects the decedents of immigrants to the cultural hardships their ancestors reluctantly left behind. Steven Skybell as Tevye led an outstanding cast, and set designer Rufus Didwiszuz created the most memorable effect I can even remember viewing by covering the vast Lyric Opera stage with snow for the second act.

Continue reading →